Swim baits?.

[Dutch]

I have paddle tail and a Keitech knock off molds.  I have tried both with minimal success.  Would some of you swim bait guys mind tossing out some pointers, like where when and how you use them?  I would like for them to do more than take up space in the boat.

[snagged in outlet 3]

16 minutes ago, Dutch said:

I have paddle tail and a Keitech knock off molds.  I have tried both with minimal success.  Would some of you swim bait guys mind tossing out some pointers, like where when and how you use them?  I would like for them to do more than take up space in the boat.

I've never caught much on them either...

[fishinwrench]

Size is important, and 3/16" can make all the difference in the world.  With plastic paddle tail baits you can easily trim off a bit, but with articulated hard baits you have to choose the right one.  Sticking with one certain brand doesn't cut it because the available sizes don't always jive.    Speeding up the retrieve cadence if your not getting bites is usually better than slowing down.  

And finally, concentrate on areas where fish suspend and have no cover to bury into.   Keep your eyes tuned to the surface and cast repeatedly to "nervous water".   

When you catch one make a dozen or more casts right back to the same exact spot before moving on.   

That's all I've got.... because of the pandemic.  

[Basfis]

As a group on an umbrella rig. Individually on an under spin.... in cold water. 
 

in place of a skirt on a buzz bait. Casts way better. 

[Quillback]

They work best for me starting pre-spawn until late summer.  Hard to beat a Keitech, downside to them is that they are fragile, but I've never seen another bait out fish them.  I like a jighead with a short shank hook, leaves more body free to kick.  I like to pause the bait during the retrieve, let it fall, it will often get followers to bite.  Edit:  Keitechs kick real well on the fall, some swimbaits just won't kick that easily unless you fish them fast.  Test them out by letting it fall near the boat where you can see it and look to see how well it kicks.

Great bait for bass, walleye, stripers, hybrids and whites.  I'll usually go with a match the hatch approach as far as size.  

When fall rolls around I don't get as many bites on them,  spoons start to work better for me for shad chasers.  Early spring I'll throw them right up on the bank, once post spawn sets in I'm out looking for suspended schools off deep water near cove mouths or off the bank on gravel points.  

[Dutch]

16 minutes ago, Basfis said:

As a group on an umbrella rig. Individually on an under spin.... in cold water. 
 

in place of a skirt on a buzz bait. Casts way better. 

Yep that is how mine have worked.  I also have a mold for heads I want to mate them and catch fish that way.

[Dutch]

Thanks for the tips.  I made some up this am.  I plan to try them in the morning.

[snagged in outlet 3]

30 minutes ago, Quillback said:

They work best for me starting pre-spawn until late summer.  Hard to beat a Keitech, downside to them is that they are fragile, but I've never seen another bait out fish them.  I like a jighead with a short shank hook, leaves more body free to kick.  I like to pause the bait during the retrieve, let it fall, it will often get followers to bite.  Edit:  Keitechs kick real well on the fall, some swimbaits just won't kick that easily unless you fish them fast.  Test them out by letting it fall near the boat where you can see it and look to see how well it kicks.

Great bait for bass, walleye, stripers, hybrids and whites.  I'll usually go with a match the hatch approach as far as size.  

When fall rolls around I don't get as many bites on them,  spoons start to work better for me for shad chasers.  Early spring I'll throw them right up on the bank, once post spawn sets in I'm out looking for suspended schools off deep water near cove mouths or off the bank on gravel points.  

The bass pro brand sux!!  

[Seth]

A 3-4" swimbait on a 1/4oz jighead has been my best producer this year. Have tried several and they have all worked about the same. I've pretty well settled on the Tackle HD swimmers at this point simply because they hold up the best for me. They comein 3.5 and 4" so if you need something smaller like a 2.8", it's hard to beat the Keitech for that size. They just don't last! Kind of like a senko.

[Ham]

Don’t sleep on the Z man swim baits. I throw a mix of Z Man and Keitech mostly.